HVO: More fountaining could occur in Kilauea volcano by Monday
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported today that Kilauea’s summit area is slowly inflating, indicating that new magma is accumulating below the surface.
High surf continues today in W. Hawaii, but could ease on Saturday
Strong waves continued to pummel the coastline today in West Hawaii, but were expected to calm down Saturday, forecasters said.
Los Angeles wildfires devour thousands of homes even as fierce winds ease
LOS ANGELES — Two massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west devoured nearly 10,000 homes and other structures, burning into a third night on Thursday even as the fierce winds eased and gave firefighters a welcome but temporary respite.
‘Sobering’ report issued on Hawaii natural disaster resilience spending needs
Lots of work still ahead for road into Waipi‘o Valley
Access to Waipi‘o Valley Road has been restricted since 2022 for work to make the steep, narrow and winding county road less dangerous.
Trump’s tariff threat spurs auto suppliers to rethink production plans
LAS VEGAS — Global auto suppliers are working out how much of their production can be moved to the United States, or closer to it, as a defense against tariffs promised by President-elect Donald Trump, according to industry executives at CES in Las Vegas. The auto industry has already experienced eight years of U.S. protectionism, from real and threatened tariffs during Trump’s first term and then more tariffs and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act under President Joe Biden. Most of those measures were aimed squarely at China, in particular a proposal by the Biden administration to bar Chinese software and hardware from cars on U.S. roads. But Trump has vowed to go much further, imposing a blanket tariff of 10% on global imports into the United States and a far higher 60% tariff on Chinese goods. In late November, he specifically pledged a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico when he takes office on Jan. 20.
TikTok stars and marketers brace for app’s disappearance this month
The impending disappearance of TikTok, one of the most popular social media apps in the United States, has sent marketers, agencies and creators racing to embrace alternatives — even if they’re not entirely convinced that TikTok will in fact exit the United States this month.
Grand jury counsel sought for Hilo and Kona
The Circuit Court of the Third Circuit, Hawaii Island, is seeking applications for independent grand jury counsel for Hilo and Kona.
KSH wins third straight; Wildcats get back on track
KEA‘AU — Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i boys basketball won its third consecutive matchup after routing Honoka‘a 63-40 on Wednesday night at home.
County plans to install dozens of drywells along Kawili Street
A $21 million project to improve the shoulders of Kawili Street in Hilo also will drill more than two dozen drywells along the length of the road.
High surf damages Puʻuhonua o Honaunau park
High surf reaching about 14 feet continued to affect businesses and tourism Thursday in West Hawaii, prompting temporary closures and causing damage to Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
Kainoa Wade, the coach’s son, makes splendid debut as Hawaii sweeps Harvard
Judge rejects Biden’s title IX rules, scrapping protections for trans students
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Kentucky on Thursday struck down President Joe Biden’s effort to expand protections for transgender students and make other changes to the rules governing sex discrimination in schools, ruling that the Education Department had overstepped and violated teachers’ rights by requiring them to use students’ preferred pronouns.
Can low unemployment last under Trump?
For a time, not too long ago, it was the central question animating economic forecasts and bets laid by investors in financial markets: Will the U.S. economy avoid a recession?
US efforts to cut emissions stalled in 2024 as power demand surged
America’s efforts to cut its climate change pollution stalled in 2024, with greenhouse gas emissions dropping just a fraction, 0.2%, compared with the year before, according to estimates published Thursday by the Rhodium Group, a research firm.
Bill to expand deportations of migrants accused of crimes sails ahead in senate
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday came closer to passing a bill requiring the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally charged with minor crimes after most Democrats joined Republicans to advance it.
BIIF soccer: Ka Makani, Warriors split matches
Waiakea soccer traveled to Waimea on Wednesday to take on Hawaii Preparatory Academy. The two schools split their matchups between the boys and girls.
How saffron, a precious import, became an American cash crop
Tara and Chad Philipp had never tasted saffron until they took a camping trip with a family they’d recently met. Around the campfire, their new friends cooked a big pan of paella. The Philipps fell for the sweet, musky flavor of saffron — and were intrigued to learn it was the world’s most expensive spice.
Brazil’s Lula calls Meta fact-checking changes ‘extremely serious’
BRASILIA — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that social media company Meta’s decision to scrap its fact-checking program in the U.S. was “extremely serious,” and that he would discuss the matter in a meeting with government officials.
2024 was the first year above 1.5C of global warming, scientists say
BRUSSELS — The world just experienced the first full year in which global temperatures exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial times, scientists said on Friday.
